Old Freemen’s Rugby Report 2019/20
With school master Alan Auld leading the club once again supported by Olly Mays and Max Davies as his vice captains, we were looking forward to a successful season - his injury in October and the pull of the Rugby World Cup in Japan and then further injuries to key players robbed us of a number of regular players, so it is safe to say we struggled with consistency this season in the 1st XV. We would beat the top 3 teams and lose to the bottom 3 far too regularly so ended up 9th out of 10 teams.
Next season we may still be in the Surrey 1, however only if they expand the league to 12. The losses however didn’t stop the enjoyment felt by the players and the good humour and social nature of Old Freemen’s sports.
Led by a new skipper in James Bradford, the 2nd XV faired far better and were top of their league going into the final two league games, but narrow losses saw them end up 3rd on points difference. The Merit Table Cup we have won for the last three years wasn’t played due to the COVID lockdown, so at least we haven’t lost that and are defending champions for next season.
The social side of Old Freemen's remains strong - with post match celebrations either in the Leg of Mutton or at the Ashtead Cricket Club Pavilion with Eleanor Deighton and Pip Elburn providing as excellent replacement for the Memorial Clubhouse.
The annual Under vs. Overs match was played again once more at Christmas with over 200 school leavers and rugby members watching a close fought match that the Unders just sneaked a win. Maybe I didn’t help the Overs by coming out of retirement aged 53, but it was great to play with and against a great bunch of lads.
Training will start again in the summer run by coach Jon Moore once the lockdown rules are in place and we look forward to playing once again in Ashtead Park in 2021 which will be our 90th anniversary - having played our first game as ‘Old Ashteadians’ against Dorking Town A’s.
Thanks to all the committee - ably led by James Tremaine, but special thanks for Kate Gummer for organising both the aborted tour to Rye and the Dinner Dance also postponed to October 2020.
Check out our Facebook group and re-launched website for more details and get yourself assigned to the WhatsApp groups. We welcome former pupils, staff members, parents and friends and relatives into the club.
Let’s hope we get back to rugby soon.
Bob Davies
President OFRFC
